When it comes to pet health, it's best to be proactive

One of the most important responsibilities that a pet owner has is to provide regular veterinary care that should begin when the animal is very young and continue throughout its lifetime.

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Posted Jan. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Posted Jan. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM

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One of the most important responsibilities that a pet owner has is to provide regular veterinary care that should begin when the animal is very young and continue throughout its lifetime.

Whether your beloved family companion is a dog, cat, horse or parrot, all of our animals need regular veterinary visits, including preventive care to help avert potentially fatal diseases such as diabetes and cancer that can affect the quality or shorten our pets' lives.

Dr. Monica Ortiz, who recently joined the medical staff at Capeway Veterinary Hospital in Fairhaven, says that preventive medicine is always discussed with every pet owner during an animal's initial visit to the clinic. Veterinarians emphasize the benefits of keeping the creature happy and healthy through vaccinations, monthly heartworm, flea and tick prevention, and regular grooming.

"Owners are made aware of the future risks and costs associated with the treatment of these preventable diseases," she adds.

According to Ortiz, a graduate of St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies, it's also important for owners to introduce their pets to proper dental hygiene at any early age.

"Ideally, owners should brush their pets' teeth daily," she tells, adding that during the initial visit, a veterinarian should discuss the different types of toothbrushes, toothpastes and treats that are available to promote healthy oral care and which options are best for your pet.

Ortiz recommends that as a pet matures, teeth should be inspected during yearly physical examinations to determine if cleaning is required to prevent the development of gingivitis and dental calculus.

"Without proper dental prevention at home, routine dental procedures can be expensive if multiple extractions and radiographs are required," she warns, noting that foul smelling breath can also be an indication of other medical conditions such as kidney disease.

"Poor dental hygiene can lead to infections ascending into the blood stream and cause severe oral pain," she emphasizes.

The San Francisco native echoes the sentiments of many of her colleagues when she emphasizes that obesity, which is preventable, is one of the leading causes of many of the medical conditions which cause our pets to suffer.

Complications caused by obesity mirror many of the ailments that plague overweight humans and include arthritis, cardiac disease, diabetes, and cruciate ligament tears, which may require surgery and prolonged confinement to allow healing and the animal to regain its strength.

"In addition, obese pets will have a reduced life expectancy," the veterinarian warns. "Proper diet and exercise will aid in the future prevention of these diseases."

Many household cats, she adds, have a tendency to pack on the pounds because they love their food dish and sunny resting places.

"It is important to keep our cats active and trim to avoid diseases such as diabetes," she advises. Ortiz tells feline owners to offer low calorie treats and provide stimulating toys that will engage the feline in playful exercise that will help prevent obesity.

"Cats can be very particular about their water consumption," the small animal practitioner observes, noting that "providing fresh water daily, multiple water bowls in different locations and even water fountains can help increase their interest in drinking more water."

"Keeping a cat indoors allows owners to provide a safe and healthy environment," she concludes, noting that outdoor cats are at risk for transmissible disease between other felines and injuries caused by encounters with another animals, not to mention frostbite when pets are exposed to low temperatures and severe winter weather.

New Bedford resident and Portuguese water dog breeder Rita Sylvia agrees with Ortiz that diet is important in preventing disease. She supplements her dogs' diet of quality brand kibble, with canned food, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables,

"I also give them a daily sprinkle of wheat germ, cinnamon and coconut oil on their food and ensure that they have lots of fresh water at all times," Sylvia notes, adding that she also gives the dogs quality vitamins to maintain their longevity.

"Good hygiene and grooming also come into play, and our weekly check-over to ensure no new bumps or lumps also helps me be alert to anything different," Sylvia adds. "If there are any problems, I believe in getting the dogs to the veterinarian as soon as possible, rather than to wait."